Tool joint



l. C. HARRIS Tool. JOINT March 12, 1935;

Original Filed April 7, 1950 INVENTUR w/ TAIL-'555s A Patented Mar.,12, 1935 OFFICE TOOL JOINT .Irving vHarris-Lus Angeles, Calif. Original application.` April 7, 1930', Serialv No.l

442,289. Divided and this application January 24,1931', lSerial No. 511,101 f 9 claims. (on 285-221 Y This invention relates to tool-joints which are specially adapted for use .in connecting together the sections of drill-pipe and other parts used in deep welldrilling operations,- such as 4described in my application, Serial Number 381,328, iiled July 26, 1929, and my application, Serial Number 442,289, tiled April 7, 1930, of which the present application is a companion. v ...In carrying on operations according to `the methoddescribed in the above mentioned applications, it is desirable to luse a string of Adrillpipe having three passagevvays, or conduits, for the conveyance of uid, and so constructed and assembled in sections that the sections may be very quickly joined together in a manner such that the companion conduits yfor fluid willH be individually connected through the joints withoutfleakage from one conduit to-` another and with thecertainty thatl each conduit will always be connected with itsr proper companion.

tis an object of this invention to provide a tool-joint by means of which a. string of drillpipe comprising three tubes, or pipes, may be made up in sections of convenient length ior,`

handling, and. so constructed and assembled that the sections may be connected together or disconnected very quickly. t

, Another object is to provide a means oi'joiningv theY sections of drill-pipe Awhich will insure the joints betweenthe companion tubes forming the several passageways being fluid-tight against leakage lfrom one passageway to another,y or from the outermost to the space outside. .v Another object is to provide-a means of :com necting together the sections offdrill-pipe that will make it impossible to make an incorrect mating of the three passageways.` Another object is 'to provide a means of connecting together sections of= drill-pipe in which leakage of uid from one conduit to `another throughv the joints in the tool-joints maybe prev the joints which sealsY are so constructed that they will have a exibility which will insure cor-` rect/seating and prevent' displacement by distorsionfof the tool-joint'under stresses imposed in use. f l n v With the foregoing objectsV in View, together with such other Yobjects and advantagesas may,

subsequently appear, the invention resides in part, in the construction, combination, andarrangement of. parte and their equivalents, hereinater. j describedgand claimed andv illustrated byway of example 1in-they accompanying drawing, in which: y Fig.:1 'is a view of thetool-joint as seenA in side elevation and axial section. f- Fig.. 2 is-aview of the tool-joint asseen in cross-sectionfatfright angles tothe axisrfand at the elevation indicated. bythe sectionline 2--2 in Fig. Land. looking downward. Y Fig. 3- isa viewrof thev toolejointas seen/in cross section atK rightiangles to the axis and at the .elevationindicated by the` crosssection .line 33`in Fig. 1 and looking downward. g Fig.- 4 is a View voi,Y the tool-joint Yas seen'in cross section at right angles to the axis and at theelevation,indicatedVV by the `section line 4 4 in Fig.y 1 and looking-upward.v I Y Fig. 5'isga-view of the tool-joint as seen in` 4cross, sectionwat-rightangles tothev axis andat the elevation indicatedv by the vcross section line 5+5 infFig. 1' and lookingupward. y .l Fig.' 6 -isa view-of the tool-joint vas seen in cross-sectionat right, angles tothe axis and at theelevation indicated by thecross section line fi--fiinFiggLv l,

The details of construction are quite fullydisclosed inV the,l drawing;- and theV courses of the" fluids fin' their passage `through'the joints are indicated ley-arrows.v In the specific `embodi ment.` shown, theluid flowing in the. outermost conduit has thehighest pressure, the fluid iiowin'g'in the intermediate*conduit-the lowest presduit` apressure always, normally higher than in.

the intermediate conduit. p

Thegtool-jointis divided into'two units, a low'- 'er and an upper; andthe two units are mates,

or companions,qthatg meet along a parting that may be observed from the following description.

The lower-unit is comprised of the parts designated'in the drawing bythe, numerals 3532, 30, 37,' 41, 38Y and 47. In the drawing,parts 30,v 32 and 3'51are tubular in general form, with connecting webs ofinetal centering and support-v ing the tubular elements in proper relationship with eaclilotherfThe space between parts`30 and 32, vannulanin Hform, 'except wherey interrupted r by the webssupporting 32 vwithin 30, forms' the outermostconduit through the lower unit of the tool-joint. The space lbetweenparts A32 and 35,'` annular` in form, except where inter-Y rupted by theV webs of metal supporting withe in- 32, forms the intermediate conduit through the lowerY unitfoffY the tooljoint. The ,bore

through the center of 35 forms the innermost conduit.

The three parts, 30, 32 and 35 may be of separate pieces of metal nested together, as shown; or they may be made with 30 and 32 of one piece of metal and35 of a separate piece; or they may be made up in any other Way without departing from the essentials of the invention. Each of the three parts, 30, 32 and 35 is provided with means of attachment, by threading, welding or any other means, to the corresponding member of the drill-pipe section or other associated structure at one end and with a mating construction at the other to suit its respective companion member of the upper unit of the tool,- joint.

The upper unit of the tool-joint is comprised of the parts designated as 31, 33 and 42. In the drawing, parts 31, 33 and 42 are tubular ingenli eral form, with connecting Webs of 'metal centering and supporting the` tubular" elements in proper relationship with each other.v The space between 31 and 33, annular inform, except where interrupted by the webs of -metal supporting 33 within 31, forms the outermost con"- duit through lthe upper unit of the tool-joint. The space between 33 'and 42, annular inform, except where interrupted by the Webs` of metal supporting 42 within 33, formsthe intermediate conduit though the' upper `unit of the tool-joint. The bore through the center of 42forms' the innermost conduit through `the upper unit of the tool-joint. -Y

The three parts,'31, 33 and 42 maybe of separate pieces Vof metal nested togethenas shown;v or' they may be formed from' one piece, or in any combination, by machiningor welding, without departing from the essentials of i the invention; Each ofthe threeparts is provided with a means ofy attachment, by threading, welding, or any other means', to the corresponding member of the drill-pipe section or other' associated structure at one end and a mating construction to suit the lrespective companion member of the lower unit of `thertool-joint at the other end. 1' l l The two units of the tool-joint are-connected to each other by means of a threaded,` tapered joint and a pair of mating,annular shoulders,l

indicated at 43, formed between parts 30 and 31; and the said shoulders constitute'a metal-tometal joint which may be *made fluid-tight against leakage of fluid from the outermost conduit-to the space outside of the tool-joint.

In the drawing, parts 32 and -33 meet in the form of a pair of mating, annular shoulders, indicated at 39, constituting a metal to metal joint which may be `made 'uidftight against leakage of fluid from the outermost conduit into the intermediate conduit. The packing, 37, held in place by retaining ring 41, is auxiliary to the metal-to-metal joint at'39 and'will stop any leakage that may pass the -metal-to-metal joint, thus providing a-double-seal tending to prevent the high pressure fluid in the outermost conduit from passing into the intermediate conduit though the jointV between thetwormembers 32 and 33. `The same packing, also, pro vides a means of preventing fluid from the outermost conduit :entering the intermediate conduit when the two units yof vthe tool-joint are being separated under conditions where the outermost'v conduit contains uid that must'be drained out by separatinglthe two units far enough for the uid to drain out 'through the joint between the shoulders at 43 While the packing 38 is in contact and effective in preventing leakage into the intermediate conduit. In the drawing, a part of 33 is indicated in cross-section as having a corrugated construeu tion providing a bellcwslike expansion-joint, the bottom of one corrugation being indicated at 48. The object of this construction is to provide in member 33 a measure of flexibility and capacity to lengthen or shorten under stress, which is assisted by keys 46 which assist in centering and supporting 33, they being somewhat loosely seated in slots in 33. The mating of the two units of the tool-joint is proportioned so that 32 and 33 come together at 39 slightly before the two shoulders at 43, meet in screwing together the two units, the iiexibility and the capacity to lengthen or shorten under stress, provided by the corrugated construction of member 33, providing the necessary compensation to allow the shoulders at 43 to come to a proper seating. This is an' important feature claimed for this invention. Y

ttention'is called to the fact, also, that the area of the circle, with the axis of the tool-joint asa center, where 32l and 33 come Ato a fluidtight seat at 39 is greater vthan the area of the circle, with the axis of the'tool-joint as a center, at the bottom of the corrugation indicated at 48, and that `the excess of the pressure of the fluid in the outermost conduit over the pressure in the intermediate conduit will act upon the diierence in 'the areas or" these two circles in a. manner tending topress the two` members 32 and 33 together at 39 in proportion to the dif-y ference inthe two pressures named, the effect of the pressures upon the corrugations being balanced, leaving the difference as stated effective in pressing the 'two parts together. It will be seen that, the greater the diiere'nce in pressure, the greater the contact pressure of the two shoulders at 39; and this is as it should be to oppose any leakage through the joint. The construction shown provides what is in effect a check valve'with a metal-tometal, or ground, seat te prevent leakage through the joint tween the two members, 32 and 33. It is Vobvious that leakage through the joint between 35 and 42 could be prevented by a construction like that at .39, using a metal-to-metal joint in the place of the packing 38 as shown, and that a construction providing the necessary flexibility could be provided by a corrugated section operating onthe same principle as shown lfor member 33.

Having described and illustrated this specific embodiment, it is pointed out that the construction'illustratedwill 'fulfill the stated objects of the invention. It is quite obvious that it will be impossible to make Aan incorrect mating of the conduits, and that the two units may be connected to each other or disconnected very quickly, all of the parts that coact in connecting and rendering fluid-tight against leakage the cornpanion members forming the three conduits through the tool-joint being brought into proper `positionby the simple act of entering the telescoping sleeves one within the other and screwing up the threaded, tapered joint until the pair of shoulders are brought together at 43, or the reverse in disconnecting. The corrugated, or equivalent construction, described for member 33, provides the necessary compensation of contact, and contact pressures of the two or three pairs, as the case may be, of mating, annular nosas/"4o metali-toeme't'al joints"l bctliV as to initial? Contact* wliezr" assemblingXand-tlie; Contact#pressurel as@ it is eee-ted byftlied'relative pressuresaof: the" fluids in' operation, as'` deseribed W-liile= have'shown andfdescrib'ed thespecific f construetionf of? one formi in@ which'V the invention-f maybe embodied? itis' obvious Athat the same VisVA capa-blei-l of f various modiiicationsswithiir thescope off what is-claiinedwithout departing from-`i the salienti features# of: thee invention;

l'claim:f v l y 1 Al tool-Joint; 'comprisingT two units'- with mating"threadedportions;theiouter endSf-of'f each' uniti having'v4 three concentric` sleevesY adaptedi to beattached"v to' the endseof threer concentric' pipe' sections;y thesaidtool-bintfwlienassembledhaving'l a@ central-7 bere= andi two; annulanseriesl of passageways= formiiiga` communicationA between tlie`inner\'pipe sections=andbetween the spaces separating; trie-innerv and intermediate pipe'` sec'- tions-.andf b`etween= the lspacesseparating the in*- term'edite' arn'dT4 outerpipese'ct`icfms,L respectively; one v off? tl'ie=v units {having-f a" memberformingfh a'- contin'ua'ftiorlrA of- "tl'i`e= intermediate sleeve, `which memberY isl positioned `con'cer-itrically1 withir'i a cylindrical bereit 'in "the companion. member: off tl-ie otlierfl unit#when the f toolL-j oint'l is assembled; an annular?'extremitydoffthecompanionmember meetings-thea inner-f .memberat'fa'L slfioulderf and forming with it a pair ci abutting,' annular seats,v

and the f two members'L having installed' 'between them packing.' meansE adaptedi-Y to 1' pressagainstthe innerrv memberfand 'to press. outwardly against` the Vcylindrical-l bore'I 'of theI companion member in -almanneri' to' -preventltlie'flowx of fluid betweenthe two rm'embersiwhile the tw-o -units of'l the. tool-jointr are? beingrseparatedaxially-by the unscrewing Y offv the threaded? joint' connectingthem: y y

21A' tool-joint;- comprising two"l units with" mating.;threadedportions; the outer endsofeach unit having threerconcent'ric.sleeves adaptedto ber-attached toithe endsv` of' three concentric'pipe sections; the said toollj ointfwlierrassemb'led having` afcentra'l bore andtwo annularfseries-'offpassageways forming' communication between tl'iev inner-pipe sections and? between the spaces sep'- arating 'the inner 'andintermediatepipe 'sections and' betweenthe spaces separatingVA` theA intermediate andi outer' pipe: sectionss respectively, lone of# the' unitshav-ingfa member forming a con-- tinuation' ofthe-intermediate sleevegwhicli'-mem-Y ber is# positioned coneentricallywithin' a: cylindricall bore in f' tliecompanionmember of the'- other= unitwhenv the tool-j oint is'- assembled; an annularK extren'iity-"ofi'r theA companionmember meeting theinner member'ata shoulder' and' formingfwitll it a'pair'of abutting; annular? seats; the' said companionmember' having a section provided' with corrugations--adapted' to give the companion member" iieX-ibilityf to insure"y correcty seating of-ithelpair of* abutting, annular seats as thethreadedjoi-ntf connecting the'two units of the-tool-j oint isv screwed up yto itsoperating position'in assembling' the tool-joint 3. A- tool-ioint comprisingv two units' with mating threadedi portions, the-outer'ends'of each' unit having'three concentric sleeves adapted to beattached'to the'ends of threeconcentric pipe sections, the-saidtool-joint when assembled having a central bore and* two annular` series of passageways" forming communication between the inner'pipe sections'and between the-spaces separating the innerand intermediate pipe sections and-between the spaces'separating the-intermediate andli outer pipe sections, respectively, one-y off the? units having a1 member forming: a.: continuaticmvl of the intermediate'y sleeve;v which' membery is` positioned concentrically'within a cylindri'eal bore in the companion member of. the otherfunitwhen the tool-joint 'is assembled, arr-annular extremity-of the-companion membery meeting the inner memberA at' ar shoulder: and forming Withitapair of abutting, annular seats,4 the' said' companion member-having aI tubular` section with its'out'e-r' surface incommunication with the passageways connecting thespaces between'ltheouter` and' intermediate pipe sections and withitsinterior surface in communication withthe passageways connecting' the f spaces between-theintermediate andinner pipe sections, the-said tubular' sectionv havingy av series of cor'- rue-ationsy so proportioned with relation to the pair of abutting, annulan'seats aforesaidj and connected to ltlfieend ofthe saidtubular section' opposite the saidannular seats at-anannular section 'havingan' outside 4diameter smaller than the said annular seats; and in such amanner; that excess of" pressure off fluid' pressingupon the outer surface of said'tubular section over the'pressure of uid pressing upon the interior surface off the same will`| def-lect and extendthe said tubularv section and the series of corrugationsA axially andp'resslthe saidlpair of abutting, annularseatstogether with increasingpressure asr4 the` said' excess of pressure offiiuid increases,A

4; A tool-joint, comprisingvr two units withl mating threaded portions, the' outery endsJ ci; each vunithaving. threeccneentric' sleeves adapted tobeattached -to theends of three concentric pipe sections;` the-'said tool-joint'when assembled havingacentral lbore- -and "two annular series of passag-eways-forn'iimg' communication between the innerl pipe sections and between the space s'r'separating the inner and"intermediate Ipipe sections and between-tlie spaces-separating `the intermediate-'and outer'pipe sections, respectively, oneof'the units-havingva-member forming ay continuation of theinner sleeve; which member is positioned 'concentrically- Within av cylindrical borein the companionmember` of the other-unit when the tooljoint is assembled, anannular extremity of the companion' member meeting `the inner member at a'slfioulder 'andi forming with it a' pair of abutting; annulary seats, theV said companion member having a section provided withl corrugations adapted togive tlie-'co`mpanion`A member flexibility toA insure correctf'seating of vthe pair of abutting, annularf'seats '-as the-threaded joint connecting the" two'units of the tool-joint is screwed`up-toits operating position* in assembling the tool-joint. g' f 5i A tool-joint, comprising rtwo units with matingthreaded'portiona the outer ends oi each unit having threel concentric sleeves adaptedlto be' attached tothe endsoi three concentric pipe sections, thesaid'l tool-joint Awhen assembledhaving acentrallv bore andv two annular series of passageways forming communication` between'4 the inner pipe sections and between the'spaces separating the inner and intermediate-pipe sections andi between the spaces separating'theintermediate and outer pipe sec-- tions; respectively, one of the units having a member' forming a continuation oi the inner sleeve', which-member ispositioned concentrically'within a cylindricalbore iny thev companion member ofthe other unit when: the tool-joint is assembled; an annular extremity of the companion' member meeting the'finner memberI atl a aofi shoulder and forming with it a pair lof abutting, annular seats, the said companion member having a tubular section with its outer surface in communication with the passageways connecting the spaces between the inner and intermediate pipe sections and with its interior surface in communication with the central bore connecting the inner pipe sections, the said tubular section having a series of corrugations so proportioned with relation to the pair of abutting, annular seats aforesaid, and connected to the end of the said tubular section opposite the said annular seats at an annular section having an outside diameter smaller than the said annular seats and in such a manner that excess of pressure of fluid pressing upon the outer surface of said tubular section over the pressure of fluid pressing upon the interior surface of the same,

will deflect and extend the said tubular section and the series of corrugations axially and press the said pair of abutting, annular seats together with increasing pressure as the said excess of pressure of fluid increases. p

6. A tool-joint, comprising two units with mating threaded portions, the outer ends of each unit having three concentric sleeves adapted to be attached to the ends of three concentric pipe sections, the said tool-joint when assembled having a central bore and two annular series of passageways forming communication between the inner pipe sections and between the spaces separating the inner and intermediate pipe sections and between the spaces separating the intermediate and outer pipe sections, respectively, one of the units having a member forming a continuation of theI intermediate sleeve, which member is positioned concentrically Within a cylindrical bore in the companion member of the other unit when the tool-joint is assembled, an annular extremity of the companiontmember meeting the inner member at a shoulder and forming a pair of abutting, annular seats, and the two members having installed between them packing means adapted to bear inwardly against the inner member and outwardly against the cylindrical bore-of the companion member as the two units of the tool-joint are being separated axially by the unscrewing of the threaded joint connecting them, and one of the units having a member forming a continuation of the inner sleeve, which member is positioned concentrically within a cylindrical bore in the companion member of the other unit when the tool-joint is assembled, an annular extremity of the companion member meeting the inner member at a shoulder and forming with it a pair of abutting, annular seats, the said companion member having a section provided with corrugations adapted to give the companion member flexibility to insure proper seating of the pair of abutting, annular seats aforesaid as the threaded joint connecting the two units of the tool-joint is screwed up to its operating position in assembling the tool-joint.

7. A tool-joint, comprising two units with mating threaded portions, the outer ends of each unit having three concentric sleeves adapted to be attached to the ends of three concentric pipe sections, the said tool-joint when assembled having a central bore and two annular series of passageways forming communication between the inner pipe sections and between the spaces separating theuinner and intermediate pipe sections and between the spaces separating the intermediate and outer pipe sections, respectively,

one of the units having a member forming a continuation of the intermediate sleeve, which member is positioned concentrically within a cylindrical bore in the companion member of the other unit when the tool-joint is assembled, and annular extremity of the companion member meeting the inner member at a shoulder and forming with it a pair of abutting, annular seats, thesaid companion member having a section provided with corrugations adapted to give the companion member flexibility to insure proper seating ,of the pair of abutting, annular seats aforesaid as the threaded joint connecting the two units of the tool-joint is screwed up to its operating position in assembling the tool-joint, and one of the units having a member forming a continuation of the inner sleeve, whichmember is positioned concentrically within a cylindrical bore in the companion member of the other unit when the tool-joint is assembled, an annular extremity of the companion member meeting the inner member at a shoulder and forming with it a pair of abutting, annular seats, the said companion member having a section provided with corrugations adapted to give the companion member flexibility to insure correct seating of the pair of abutting, annular seats aforesaid as the threaded joint connecting the two units of the tool-joint is screwed up to its operating position in assembling.

8. A tool-joint, comprising two u nits with mating threaded portions, the outer ends of each unit having three concentric sleeves adapted to be attached to the ends of three concentric pipe sections, the said tool-joint when assembled having a central bore and two annular series of passageways forming communication between the inner pipe sections and between the spaces separating the inner and intermediate pipe sections and between the spaces separating the intermediate and outer pipe sections, respectively, one of the units having a member forming a continuation of the intermedidiate sleeve, which member is positioned concentrically within a cylindrical bore in the companion member of the other unit when the tooljoint is assembledan annular extremity of the companion member meeting the inner member at a shoulder and forming with it a pair of abutting, annular seats, the said companion member having a tubular section with its outer surface in communication with the passageways connecting the spaces between the outer and intermediate pipe sections and with its interior surface in communication with the passageways connecting the spaces between the intermediate and inner pipe sections, the said tubular section having a s eries of corrugations so proportioned with relation to the pair of abutting, annular seats aforesaid, and connected to the end of the said tubular section opposite the said annular seats at an annular section having an outside diameter smaller than the said annular seats and in such a manner that excess of pressure of fluid pressing upon the outer surface of said tubular section over the pressure of fluid pressing upon the interior surface of the same will deflect and extend the said tubular section and the series of corrugations axially and press the pair of abutting, annular seats together with increasing pressure as the said excess of pressure of fluid increases, and one of the units having a member forming a continuation of the inner sleeve, which member is positioned concentrically within a cylindrical bore in the companion member of the other unit when the tool-joint is assembled, an annular extremity of the companion member meeting the inner member at a shoulder and forming with it a pair of abutting, annular seats, the said companion member having a section provided with eorrugations adapted to give the companion member flexibility to insure correct seating of the pair of abutting, an-v nular seats as the threaded joint connecting the two units of the tool-joint is screwed up to its operating position in assembling the tool-joint.

9. A tool-joint, comprising two units with mating threaded portions, the outer ends of each unit having three concentric sleevesadapted to be attached to the ends of three concentric pipe sections, the said tool-joint when assembled having a central bore and two annular series of passageways forming communication between the inner pipe sections and between the spaces separating the inner and intermediate pipe sections and between the spaces separating the intermediate and outer pipe sections, respectively, one of the units having a member forming a continuation of the intermediate sleeve, which member is positioned concentrically within a the flow of fluid between the two members as the two units of the tool-joint are being separated axially by the unscrewing of the threaded joint connecting them until the said joint is disengaged, the companion member having a section having a series of corrugations adapted to give flexibility to the said member tolassist seating of the pair of abutting, annular shoulders, and one of the units having a member forming a continuation of the inner sleeve, which member is positioned concentrically within a cylindrical bore formed in the companion member of the other unit, the two units having installed between them when assembled packing means for preventing the flow of uid between the two members.

IRVING C. HARRIS. 

